Book Your Hotel & Tours Today!
We encourage all delegates to reserve their accommodation as soon as possible!  The Yucatan is a very popular tourist destination and rooms are filling up fast! HELP US TO GUARANTEE AVAILABILITY BY BOOKING TODAY!

Conservation Photography - Yucatán RAVE update
August 2009: iLCP emerging photographer Claudio Contreras was in Tabasco photographing frogs and then went to the Yucatan to photograph the flamingo colonies. Claudio’s work, combined with the work of over 20 iLCP photographers involved with the Yucatan RAVE will culminate in a multi-media presentation to WILD9 delegates during the opening ceremonies (Nov 6).  The Yucatan RAVE will also assist local organizations and conservation efforts to communicate their messages and raise awareness.  iLCP website

YUCATAN NEWS - Think, Feel, Act …..MERIDA!  
Interested in getting to know Merida and spending some time outside of the Convention Center? WILD9 is pleased to partner with Emerald Planet to offer delegates ecotour opportunities in Merida and the surrounding area.  Whether you are an avid bird-watcher, an archeology guru or simply wanting to explore the wild-side of the Yucatan, there is a tour option for you! 
All tours can be booked online or arranged through our local travel agency, Amigo Yucatan (contact Paul Suaste at psuaste@amigoyucatan.com).

WILD9 Editorial
WILD9 is my 8th World Wilderness Congress.  When I started 29 years ago in Australia at the 2nd WWC, I had no idea this Congress would define much of my working life.  No doubt, the financial issues, political matters, and general collaborative style of planning is stressful, to say the least. But, also no doubt, it’s worth it….many practical outcomes, inspirational moments, and transformed people.  Regardless of the many hours of planning, some of the best results are unplanned and completely unexpected, such as at the 3rd WWC in Scotland when the Minister of State George Younger opened the proceedings by announcing that the UK would ratify the World Heritage Convention (after refusing to do so for years)…unplanned, unanticipated, and VERY useful for wilderness.  Hard work and collaboration make possible many good results and a good time. And, if we get it right, we get a “plus” --magic happens.  WILD9 is on track, with results and a good time on tap…and maybe a little magic.     - Vance G. Martin, President, The WILD Foundation (Founder of the WWC and co-host of WILD9).

Trainings
WILD9 and partners have put together many great training opportunities, both before and after WILD9.
Before WILD9, trainings include: Wilderness Management Seminar (Nov 1-3), Government Forum (Nov 4-5), Conservation Field Photography for Land Stewards (Nov 4-5) and Water Trainings (Nov 4-5). 
Delegates can learn more about these opportunities online, and this information will be updated frequently.

Speak up! YourSpace photo gallery by LOOK3 and iLCP
WILD9 will be hosting a gallery where you can bring your own photos, print them and expose them so that everyone can see them. We strongly encourage you to be a part of this once in a lifetime experience, where your pictures can be shown right next to the pictures of the best conservation photographers of the world. Learn more about YourSpace